Alberto Garcia

Alberto Garcia is an Assistant Professor at the University of Utah with a dual appointment between the Department of Economics and the School of Environment, Society & Sustainability. His research focuses on environmental economics, particularly environmental policy, conservation, land use, and the socioeconomic impacts of environmental degradation. He joined the university in 2023 after a postdoctoral fellowship at Yale University.

• PhD in Economics and Environmental Science (2023) from the University of California, Santa Barbara
• BA in Mathematics and Economics (2016) from Willamette University

His work bridges environmental science and economics, utilizing remote sensing data, biodiversity metrics, and causal inference techniques to analyze policy effectiveness and human-environment interactions. Recent publications examine invasive species effects on education outcomes, econometric challenges in conservation studies, and agricultural intensification's ecological consequences.

Alberto actively mentors students in coding, research methodologies, and professional development. He contributes to environmental sustainability through a 2024-2026 grant on Great Salt Lake dust control funded by the Utah Division of Water Resources. Outside academia, he enjoys fly fishing and hiking in Utah's trails.